Rippon stars in economy stakes
CRICKET Men’s Super Smash
THE slower the bowling the harder it is to hit.
That has certainly proved the case in the Super Smash this season.
Six of the seven most economical bowlers in the tournament are all spinners.
Central Districts allrounder Christian Leopard is the odd one out. But the right arm medium pacer has sent down just one over and been lucky enough to have nabbed two wickets for four runs.
Otago’s Michael Rippon is the seventh on the list but arguably the most effective.
He has bowled more overs, taken more wickets than the other five spinners, and has strung together a series of terrific performances.
The South Africanborn leftarm wrist spinner returned figures of none for 17 in a losing effort against Wellington in his last outing. His two for 23 against the same side at the University of Otago Oval earlier this month was impressive in another losing cause.
Perhaps his best effort was two for 19 against Northern Districts earlier in the year.
So far he has claimed eight wickets at an average of 21.87 and, more importantly, an economy of 6.73.
Anything under seven these days is worth celebrating.
‘‘I feel good at the moment but it is twenty20 and it is a different style of bowling,’’ Rippon said.
‘‘It is about getting a read on the batter and trying to limit the runs as much as you can.
‘‘You are not really bowling your best ball but I suppose you bowl your best ball in that format.’’
Sometimes that means getting hit, but hopefully not all the way to the boundary, he added.
Rippon is eligible to play for New Zealand and in his current form has to be an outside chance of making the Black Caps squad
Otago: Hamish Rutherford, Neil
Broom, Nick Kelly, Josh Finnie, Dale Phillips, Anaru Kitchen, Michael Rippon, Nathan Smith, Max Chu, Jacob Duffy, Mitchell McClenaghan, Michael Rae.
Canterbury: Chad Bowes, Ken McClure, Jack Boyle, Daryl Mitchell, Cole McConchie, Leo Carter, Can Fletcher, Todd Astle, Matt Henry, Will Williams, Ed Nuttall, Blake Coburn.
for the ICC T20 World Cup in India later in the year.
He has not heard from ‘‘anyone high up’’ but has had good feedback from Otago coach Rob Walter and the results are there for all to see.
Rippon will have another opportunity to enhance his reputation tonight. Otago has travelled to Christchurch to play Canterbury at Hagley Oval.
The Volts have lost their past four games and retain only a slim chance of slipping into the playoffs.
They will need to win their remaining three roundrobin games and have results go their way.
However, Canterbury is wellplaced to make the playoffs. It has five wins from eight games and only needs to win one of its remaining two games to secure a spot.
It had a 61run win when the sides met late last year. Chad Bowes starred with 72 from 48 balls and Matt Henry and Ed Nuttall picked up three wickets apiece.
The home team has named three spinners in its line up — Cole McConchie, Todd Astle and Blake Coburn — which suggests the pitch will be on the slow side.
Perfect conditions for Rippon.
In last night’s game at Seddon Park in Hamilton, Kane Williamson hit the Northern Knights’ winning runs off the last ball of the match, scoring 79 from 55 balls to help his team chase down the Auckland Aces’ total of 162 for four to win by three wickets.